Aromatherapy scarf with pocket pouch

ABSTRACT

An aromatherapy garment can be donned by a user and removably receives an aromatherapy element. The garment includes a garment layer and opposed pocket flaps fixed relative to the garment layer. The pocket flaps cooperate to at least partly define a pocket that removably receives the aromatherapy element. The pocket flaps extend from corresponding locations adjacent pocket ends toward one another to at least partly cover the pocket and retain the aromatherapy element when the aromatherapy element is received therein. The pocket flaps cooperatively define an access opening therebetween that permits insertion and removal of the aromatherapy element relative to the pocket.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/368,579, filed Jul. 29, 2016, entitled AROMATHERAPY SCARF WITHPOCKET POUCH, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present invention relates generally to garments. More specifically,embodiments of the present invention concern an aromatherapy garmentused to dispense an aromatherapy substance for the wearer.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic and/or medicinal vapors (e.g.,from essential oils) for healing, relaxation, mood enhancing, andgrounding. Oils can be absorbed via the skin to cleanse, nourish, andrejuvenate the body. Such oils can also be used to heal burns, cuts, orother skin damage. Oil vapors can also enter the olfactory system toprovide psychological and physiological benefits. Most aromatherapysubstances include plant-based formulations extracted from leaves,flowers, stems, seeds, bark, or roots. Several plants are known todiminish symptoms of physical ailments such as motion sickness, nausea,and headaches. Various garments, such as scarves, have been adapted tocarry aromatherapy substances.

However, conventional aromatherapy garments have multiple deficiencies.For example, known garments have a carrier element (such as a pad) thatabsorbs and releases an aromatherapy substance. While prior art garmentshave an opening to receive and carry a pad, the garments allow the padto be inadvertently dropped from the opening and lost.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of thesubject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the presentinvention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an aromatherapy garmentthat does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior artgarments set forth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns an aromatherapy garmentoperable to be donned by a user and to removably receive an aromatherapyelement. The aromatherapy garment broadly includes a garment layer andopposed pocket flaps. The garment layer is configured to cover at leastpart of the user when the aromatherapy garment is donned by the user.The pocket flaps are fixed relative to the garment layer and extendalong a length direction. The pocket flaps cooperate to at least partlydefine a pocket with opposite pocket ends spaced along the lengthdirection, with the pocket being configured to removably receive thearomatherapy element. The pocket flaps extend from correspondinglocations adjacent the pocket ends toward one another along the lengthdirection to at least partly cover the pocket and retain thearomatherapy element when the aromatherapy element is received therein.The pocket flaps cooperatively define an access opening therebetweenthat permits insertion and removal of the aromatherapy element relativeto the pocket.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns an aromatherapygarment operable to be donned by a user. The aromatherapy garmentbroadly includes a garment layer, opposed pocket flaps, and anaromatherapy element. The garment layer is configured to cover at leastpart of the user when the aromatherapy garment is donned by the user.The pocket flaps are fixed relative to the garment layer and extendalong a length direction. The pocket flaps cooperate to at least partlydefine a pocket with opposite pocket ends spaced along the lengthdirection. The aromatherapy element is operable to deliver anaromatherapy scent to the user. The aromatherapy element is removablyreceived in the pocket and extends between the pocket ends. The pocketflaps extend from corresponding locations adjacent the pocket endstoward one another along the length direction to at least partly coverand retain the aromatherapy element. The pocket flaps cooperativelydefine an access opening therebetween that permits insertion and removalof the aromatherapy element relative to the pocket.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspectsand advantages of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanyingdrawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail belowwith reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of an aromatherapy garment constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein thegarment includes a scarf, a pouch attached to the scarf, and anaromatherapy pad retained within the pouch;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the aromatherapy garment shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the aromatherapy garmentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the aromatherapy garment shownin FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of the aromatherapy garment shown inFIGS. 1-4, with the opposite bottom view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the aromatherapy garment shown inFIGS. 1-5, with the opposite side view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the aromatherapygarment shown in FIGS. 1-6, showing the pouch mounted to a side sectionof the scarf;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the aromatherapygarment similar to FIG. 7, but showing the pouch opened to permitremoval of the aromatherapy pad;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross section of the aromatherapy garment takenalong line 9-9 in FIG. 3, showing the aromatherapy pad retained withinthe pouch;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of an aromatherapy garmentconstructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the aromatherapy garmentshown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top view of the aromatherapy garment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, with the opposite bottom view being a mirror imagethereof;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view of the aromatherapy garment shown inFIGS. 10-12, with the opposite side view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the aromatherapygarment shown in FIGS. 10-13, showing the pouch mounted to a sidesection of the scarf;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the aromatherapygarment similar to FIG. 14, but showing the pouch opened to permitremoval of the aromatherapy pad;

FIG. 16 is a perspective of an aromatherapy garment constructed inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein thegarment includes a shirt, a pouch, and an aromatherapy pad; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the aromatherapygarment shown in FIG. 16, showing the pouch attached to an interiorsleeve surface of the shirt.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an aromatherapy garment 20 comprises anaromatherapy scarf that is operable to be donned by a user and includesan aromatherapy element. In the usual manner, the scarf can be wrappedaround the user in a variety of configurations. For instance, it will beappreciated that the scarf may be positioned around the user's neck (notshown) so that the aromatherapy element is directly below the user'schin (e.g., so that the user's face is adjacent and directly exposed tothe element).

In general, the aromatherapy system allows targeted placement of anaromatherapy substance (not shown) in close proximity to the olfactorysystem of the wearer to provide continuous, stimulating, relaxing,therapeutic and/or medicinal effects desired by the wearer.

The scarf can be worn around the neck, shoulders, or waist of the user,and is preferably maintained by selectively replacing and/or reusingaromatherapy pads. The depicted scarf is long and rectangular in shape,and can be worn as a scarf, shawl, or used as a blanket. Aromatic vaporsfrom the aromatic substance are diffused through the air at normal roomtemperature.

Although the aromatherapy element is integrated into the depicted scarf,it will be understood that the element could be provided as part of analternative garment (e.g., a shawl, wrap, cloak, hat, shirt, etc.). Theillustrated garment 20 preferably includes a scarf 22, a pouch 24, andan aromatherapy pad 26.

The depicted scarf 22 is configured to cover at least part of the userwhen donned. The scarf 22 preferably includes a scarf body 28, sidesections 30 that form opposite side margins 32 of the scarf 22, and endsections 34. The body 28 has an elongated, unitary shape and presentsopposite sides. The body 28 is preferably formed by a single layer ofmaterial, although the body could have multiple layers.

Each side section 30 and end section 34 preferably comprises a singlepiece of material that is folded onto itself to form a pair ofoverlapping layers. The side sections 30 and end sections 34 are fixedto the body 28 by sewing the sections 30,34 thereto along seams 35. Theresulting scarf 22 preferably has an elongated, rectangular shape. Itwill also be appreciated that the scarf could have an alternativegeometrical shape (e.g., where the scarf is square or circular) foraesthetic and/or functional reasons.

The scarf 22 preferably includes a flexible fabric material such assilk, cotton, lyocell, wool, or a combination thereof (e.g., a lyocelland wool jersey blend). It is also within the ambit of the presentinvention where the scarf includes one or more alternative materials(such as an alternative fabric). In various embodiments, the fabricmaterial can include a mixture of both regular fabric threads andstretch fabric threads.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 7-9, the pouch 24 preferably defines a pocket 36that is configured to removably receive and secure the pad 26 whileallowing the pad 26 to emit an aromatherapy substance outside of thepouch 24 in the form of liquid and/or vapor. The depicted pouch 24includes a pouch base 38, an overlapping pocket flap 40, and anunderlapping pocket flap 42 that are integrally formed with one anotherto form a unitary pouch structure (see FIG. 9). The pocket flaps 40,42cooperate to at least partly define the pocket 36 and opposite pocketends 44,46, with the ends 44,46 being spaced along a length direction Land defining a pocket length dimension D1 measured along the lengthdirection L (see FIG. 9).

The pocket flaps 40,42 extend from corresponding locations adjacent thepocket ends 44,46 toward one another along the length direction L to atleast partly cover the pocket 36 and retain the aromatherapy pad 26 whenthe aromatherapy pad 26 is received therein. In the illustratedembodiment, the pocket flaps 40,42 preferably enclose the correspondingpocket ends 44,46 and extend from the pocket ends 44,46 toward eachother to present respective flap edges 48,50 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).However, in some alternative embodiments, one or both of the pocketflaps 40,42 could extend from locations spaced from the respectivepocket end 44,46.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 24 presents opposite sidemargins 52 that extend along the length direction L (see FIGS. 7 and 8).The pouch 24 is preferably fixed to the scarf 22 along the opposite sidemargins 52 by corresponding seams 35 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

The depicted pocket flaps 40,42 preferably overlap one another to defineoverlapped flap portions 54,56 in a normal closed condition (see FIGS. 7and 9). The pocket flaps 40,42 can be selectively moved out of theclosed condition and away from each other to temporarily expand theaccess opening 58 in an open condition (see FIG. 8). The pocket flaps40,42 can be selectively returned to the closed condition.

The pouch 24 presents an access opening 58 defined between the pocketflaps 40,42 (see FIGS. 7-9). The access opening 58 permits insertion andremoval of the aromatherapy pad 26 relative to the pocket 36 (see FIG.8). In the illustrated embodiment, the access opening 58 presents anopening length dimension D2 measured along the length direction L (seeFIG. 9). The flap edge 48 and the pocket end 44 cooperatively define theopening length dimension D2 (see FIG. 9).

The opening length dimension D2 is preferably less than about one halfthe length of the pocket length dimension D1. The opening lengthdimension D2 is also preferably less than about one half the length of apad length dimension D3. However, it will be appreciated that theopening length dimension D2 could fall outside one or both of thesedimensional ranges without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

It will also be appreciated that the configuration of pocket flaps 40,42permits the pouch 24 to be devoid of any removable fasteners (such as abutton, snap, hook-and-loop material, zipper fastener, etc.). Althoughthe pouch 24 is preferably devoid of such fasteners, one or moreremovable fasteners could be used to removably secure the pocket flapsto one another or to removably secure one or both of the pocket flapsrelative to the scarf 22.

However, the pocket flaps 40,42 could be alternatively configured toremovably secure the pad 26 without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Although the pocket flaps 40,42 preferably overlapone another, for some aspects of the present invention the pocket flapscould be in a nonoverlapping configuration while being operable tosecure the pad 26. In one such alternative embodiment, the pocket flapscould extend from the respective pocket ends 44,46 toward one anotherwithout overlapping.

In another alternative embodiment, one or both of the pocket flaps couldextend from a location spaced between the pocket ends toward the otherone of the pocket flaps (e.g., where the pocket ends are at least partlyopen and exposed). For instance, one or both of the pocket flaps couldcomprise a unitary strip of material that does not enclose thecorresponding pocket end.

Each pocket flap 40,42 extends between the pocket ends 44,46 and isfixed to the scarf 22 along the side margins 52 of the pouch 24.Although the pocket flaps 40,42 are preferably provided as part of thedepicted pouch 24, the pocket flaps 40,42 could be alternativelyprovided with the scarf 22. For instance, the pocket flaps could beseparated from one another (e.g., where the scarf 22 is devoid of thepouch base). In such an alternative embodiment, the pocket flaps couldbe sewn or otherwise fixed relative to the scarf 22. However, it will beappreciated that the pocket flaps could be integrally formed as part ofthe scarf 22 (e.g., where the scarf includes one or more folds to format least one of the pocket flaps).

The pouch 24 preferably includes a fabric material such as silk, cotton,lyocell, wool, or a combination thereof (e.g., a lyocell and wool jerseyblend). However, it is within the ambit of the present invention wherethe pouch 24 includes one or more alternative materials (such as analternative fabric). In various embodiments, the fabric material caninclude a mixture of both regular fabric threads and stretchable elasticthreads.

Although the depicted pocket flaps 40,42 comprise a flexible fabricmaterial, it will be appreciated that one or both of the pocket flapscould be formed of another flexible material (such as a rubber materialor another elastomer) or a substantially rigid material (such assynthetic resin material or a metallic material, e.g., aluminum).

The aromatherapy pad 26 is preferably configured to deliver anaromatherapy substance to the user (in the form of liquid and/or vapor).The illustrated pad 26 includes a unitary pad body 60 and thearomatherapy substance (not shown). The pad body 60 presents a generallyrectangular shape but could be variously shaped without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. The pad body 60 preferably includesa non-toxic absorbent material, such as felt, cotton, leather, syntheticresin (e.g., in the form of an open-cell foam), or any combinationthereof.

The aromatherapy substance can include one or more of various compounds(in liquid and/or vapor form), such as an essential oil, perfume, oranother scented liquid. In the usual manner, oils or perfumes can enterthe body of the user via the user's skin or olfactory system.

The pad body 60 is preferably configured to absorb the substance whenthe substance is applied to one or more surfaces of the pad body 60. Thepad body 60 can be partly or completely saturated with the substance(e.g., to control the intensity and/or duration of substance dischargefrom the pad 26).

It will be appreciated that multiple pads 26 can be used to change,modify, or combine various scents. The pads 26 are preferablyreplaceable and reusable for different aromatherapy protocols. For someaspects of the present invention, the scarf 22 may be worn without thepad 26 on occasions (e.g., when a scent is not desired). Thus, the scarf22 is operable as a dual-purpose fashion accessory and aromatherapygarment.

While the aromatherapy substance is preferably absorbed by the pad body60, the substance could also be provided separately from the pad body60. For instance, dried herbs such as lavender and potpourri can beinserted into the pouch 24 (either with or without the pad body 60). Itwill also be understood that elements (e.g., leaves, flowers, stems,seeds, bark, roots, or combinations thereof) of various other plantspecies could be inserted into the pouch 24 (e.g., to provide a desiredscent). Also, for some aspects of the present invention, the scarf couldbe devoid of the aromatherapy pad.

The depicted pad 26 is removably received in the pocket and extendsbetween the pocket ends 44,46. In the illustrated embodiment, eachpocket flap 40,42 at least partly overlaps the aromatherapy pad 26.However, the garment 20 could be configured so that only one of thepocket flaps overlaps the pad 26 when the pad 26 is received in thepocket 36.

The aromatherapy pad 26 presents the pad length dimension D3, which ismeasured along the length direction L. The pad length dimension D3 ispreferably greater than the opening length dimension D2. The pad lengthdimension D3 is also preferably less than half of the pocket lengthdimension D 1. However, the pad 26 could be alternatively sized (e.g.,with respect to various features of the pouch 24).

In use, one or more of pad body 60 can be selectively saturated with anaromatherapy substance and inserted into the pouch 24. The one or morepads 26 are inserted by moving the pocket flaps 40,42 away from eachother from the closed condition to the open condition to temporarilyexpand the access opening 58 (see FIG. 8). Once the one or more pads 26are fully inserted into the pocket 36, the pocket flaps 40,42 can bereturned to the closed condition.

With the one or more pads 26 inserted in the pocket 36 of the pouch 24,the closed pocket flaps releasably retain the one or more pads. Toremove one or more pads 26 from the pouch 25, the pocket flaps 40,42 areshifted away from each other from the closed condition to the opencondition so as to expand the access opening 58 (see FIG. 8). Once theone or more pads 26 are removed, the pocket flaps 40,42 can be returnedto the closed condition.

Turning to FIGS. 10-17, alternative preferred embodiments of the presentinvention are depicted. For the sake of brevity, the remainingdescription will focus primarily on the differences of these alternativeembodiments from the preferred embodiment described above.

Initially turning to FIGS. 10-15, an alternative garment 200 isconstructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The alternative garment 200 includes an alternative scarf202, a pouch 204, and an aromatherapy pad 206.

The scarf 202 preferably comprises a scarf body 208 that presentsopposite side margins 210 of the scarf 202. The body 208 has anelongated, unitary shape and preferably formed by a single layer ofmaterial, although the body could have multiple layers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 204 presents opposite sidemargins 212 that extend parallel to side margins 210 along the lengthdirection L and are preferably fixed to the scarf 202.

Turning to FIGS. 16 and 17, an alternative garment 300 is constructed inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Thealternative garment 300 includes a shirt 302, a pouch 304, and anaromatherapy pad (not shown).

The shirt 302 includes a pair of sleeves 306 that each present a distalmargin 308. The pouch 304 is secured to an interior surface 310 of oneof the sleeves 306 by sewing the pouch 304 along side margins 312 of thepouch 304. The pouch 304 is arranged so that the side margins 312 extendgenerally perpendicular to the distal margin 308 of the correspondingsleeve 306.

Although the above description presents features of preferredembodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments mayalso be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Suchother preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with featuresdrawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further,such other preferred embodiments may include features from multipleembodiments described above, particularly where such features arecompatible for use together despite having been presented independentlyas part of separate embodiments in the above description.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventor hereby states her intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aromatherapy garment operable to be donned bya user and to removably receive an aromatherapy element, saidaromatherapy garment comprising: a garment layer configured to cover atleast part of the user when the aromatherapy garment is donned by theuser; and opposed pocket flaps fixed relative to the garment layer andextending along a length direction, said pocket flaps cooperating to atleast partly define a pocket with opposite pocket ends spaced along thelength direction, with the pocket being configured to removably receivethe aromatherapy element, said pocket flaps extending from correspondinglocations adjacent the pocket ends toward one another along the lengthdirection to at least partly cover the pocket and retain thearomatherapy element when the aromatherapy element is received therein,said pocket flaps cooperatively defining an access opening therebetweenthat permits insertion and removal of the aromatherapy element relativeto the pocket.
 2. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 1, saidpocket flaps enclosing the corresponding pocket ends and extendingtherefrom toward one another.
 3. The aromatherapy garment as claimed inclaim 2, each of said pocket flaps presenting opposite side marginsextending between the pocket ends and fixed to the garment layer.
 4. Thearomatherapy garment as claimed in claim 2, said pocket flapsoverlapping one another, with overlapped portions of the pocket flapscooperatively forming the access opening.
 5. The aromatherapy garment asclaimed in claim 4, further comprising: a unitary pouch including thepocket flaps and a pouch base that are integrally formed with oneanother, said pouch base extending between the pocket ends andcooperating with the pocket flaps to form the pocket.
 6. Thearomatherapy garment as claimed in claim 5, said pouch presentingopposite side margins extending between the pocket ends and fixed to thegarment layer.
 7. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 5, saidpouch being devoid of a releasable fastener.
 8. An aromatherapy garmentoperable to be donned by a user, said aromatherapy garment comprising: agarment layer configured to cover at least part of the user when thearomatherapy garment is donned by the user; opposed pocket flaps fixedrelative to the garment layer and extending along a length direction,said pocket flaps cooperating to at least partly define a pocket withopposite pocket ends spaced along the length direction; and anaromatherapy element operable to deliver an aromatherapy scent to theuser, said aromatherapy element being removably received in the pocketand extending between the pocket ends, said pocket flaps extending fromcorresponding locations adjacent the pocket ends toward one anotheralong the length direction to at least partly cover and retain thearomatherapy element, said pocket flaps cooperatively defining an accessopening therebetween that permits insertion and removal of thearomatherapy element relative to the pocket.
 9. The aromatherapy garmentas claimed in claim 8, said pocket flaps enclosing the correspondingpocket ends and extending therefrom toward one another.
 10. Thearomatherapy garment as claimed in claim 9, each of said pocket flapspresenting opposite side margins extending between the pocket ends andfixed to the garment layer.
 11. The aromatherapy garment as claimed inclaim 9, said pocket flaps overlapping one another, with overlappedportions of the pocket flaps cooperatively forming the access opening.12. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:a unitary pouch including the pocket flaps and a pouch base that areintegrally formed with one another, said pouch base extending betweenthe pocket ends and cooperating with the pocket flaps to form thepocket.
 13. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 12, said pouchpresenting opposite side margins extending between the pocket ends andfixed to the garment layer.
 14. The aromatherapy garment as claimed inclaim 12, said pouch being devoid of a releasable fastener.
 15. Thearomatherapy garment as claimed in claim 8, said aromatherapy elementcomprising a unitary aromatherapy pad configured to receive anaromatherapy substance.
 16. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim15, said pocket flaps enclosing the corresponding pocket ends andextending therefrom toward one another, each of said pocket flaps atleast partly overlapping the aromatherapy pad.
 17. The aromatherapygarment as claimed in claim 16, said pocket flaps overlapping oneanother to define overlying and underlying pocket flaps that extend fromrespective first and second ones of the pocket ends, said underlyingpocket flap presenting a flap edge, with the flap edge and the firstpocket end cooperatively defining an access opening length measuredalong the length direction, said aromatherapy pad presenting a padlength measured along the length direction, with the pad length beinggreater than the access opening length.
 18. The aromatherapy garment asclaimed in claim 17, said access opening length being less than half ofthe pad length.
 19. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 18,said pocket ends cooperatively defining a pocket length measured alongthe length direction, said pad length being less than half of the pocketlength.
 20. The aromatherapy garment as claimed in claim 17, furthercomprising: a unitary pouch including the pocket flaps and a pouch basethat are integrally formed with one another, said pouch base extendingbetween the pocket ends and cooperating with the pocket flaps to formthe pocket.